Poetic Friday
Honoring Dolly
Saturday, Sept. 12 — The Falcons quarterback challenges continue before the first snap of the season as Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out for tomorrow’s opener against the Steelers with an oblique injury, and Cooper Rush will start in his place.
🌤️ Thunderstorms with a high of 82° today, and sunny and in the high 80s tomorrow.
MARKET UPDATE
📈 The Dow rose 509 points, or nearly 1%, Friday, snapping a four-day losing streak as oil prices retreated from this week’s spike over Middle East tensions. The S&P 500 gained 0.86%, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.96%, even as August inflation data matched expectations and rate hike bets grew.
LOCAL NEWS
🚧 The Atlanta Beltline broke ground Thursday on a new segment of the Northwest Trail, a one-mile stretch that will connect Underwood Hills, Collier Hills, Loring Heights, Channing Valley, and Ardmore via a new pedestrian bridge over Northside Drive.
🙏 The sister of an 11-year-old Peachtree Middle School student who died after suffering a medical emergency at the school on Sept. 9 while playing basketball has established a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses.
💸 Georgia collected nearly $2.5 billion in net tax revenue in August, a 3.5% increase from August 2025, extending the overall year-over-year gains recorded in July.
⚾ The Braves beat the Phillies 6-5 in 11 innings last night, increasing Atlanta’s division lead to five games. The teams play again tonight at 7:15 p.m. and tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. at Truist Park.
🏈 In last night’s Drive for the GHSA State Title game, Brookwood beat Marist 27-21. Around the metro, Kennesaw Mountain beat North Springs, Norcross beat North Atlanta, Cambridge beat Denmark, and Dunwoody beat Chamblee. More results are at Score Atlanta.
🏈 In today’s local college football action:
- Western Kentucky at No. 2 Georgia, 12:45 p.m. (95.5 FM, SEC Network)
- Central State at Morehouse, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Furman at No. 14 Mercer, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Kentucky State at Clark Atlanta, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
- No. 18 Tennessee at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. (93.7 FM, ESPN)
- Georgia State at Kennesaw State, 7 p.m. (88.5 FM, ESPN+)
- West Georgia at Arkansas State, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Georgia Southern at Clemson, 7:30 p.m. (ACC Network)
ELSEWHERE
📑 On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the CIA released declassified documents showing repeated warnings to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush about Osama bin Laden’s ambitions years before 2001.
🥬 The CDC declared the record U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak over Friday, after the foodborne illness sickened nearly 19,600 people and killed two.
✈️ The Nashville Airport Authority voted Friday to rename the Nashville International Airport after the late country music legend Dolly Parton.
🎙️ “60 Minutes” opens its 59th season tomorrow, marking the show’s first broadcast since a contentious leadership shakeup at CBS.
🎾 At the U.S. Open:
- Atlanta-born Ben Shelton beat fellow American Frances Tiafoe in four sets to advance to the men’s final, where he will face top seed Alexander Zverev tomorrow.
- The women’s final pits Aryna Sabalenka against Elena Rybakina today at 4 p.m. (ESPN).
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
🏳️🌈 The Pride Lake Festival; today from 2-6 p.m. at Pine Lake Beach + Park.
🍷 The Kirkwood Wine Stroll is today, 7-10 p.m.
🎨 Sandy Springs Artsapalooza; today from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and tomorrow from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 6100 Lake Forrest Drive NW.
🛻 Monster Jam; today at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Gas South Arena.
🍻 Muttfest 2026; today, noon-5 p.m. at Fire Maker Brewing Company.
🎹 Joe Alterman’s Toast & Jam Jazz Brunch; tomorrow at 11 a.m. at City Springs.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
🎨 You’ve seen Amy Sherald’s iconic portrait of Michelle Obama. Now, her largest exhibition to date is here in Atlanta, featuring rarely seen paintings and monumental portraits spanning nearly two decades.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime is in its final weeks, marking the last chance to see one of the leading artists of her generation on view in her home state. Get your tickets before the show wraps.
Can only make it in the evening? We’ve got you covered. The show stays open after hours every Friday. Grab a drink, snag an exclusive exhibition poster, and explore the galleries at your leisure.
HERE ARE SOME CONCERTS TO CHECK OUT
🎻 Mike Campbell with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra @ Atlanta Symphony Hall (tonight)
💗 Malcolm Todd @ Coca-Cola Roxy (tonight and also tomorrow.)
🇻🇪 Karina La Voz @ Gas South Theater (tonight)
🎶 Reggae Fest ATL @ Believe Music Hall (tonight)
🇮🇳 Kumar Sanu @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (tomorrow)
🦅 Nicko McBrain @ The Loft (tomorrow)
🌊 Ken Carson @ State Farm Arena (tomorrow)
🎉 Gurriers @ Vinyl (tomorrow)
☀️ Empire of the Sun @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (tomorrow)
IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ
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Enjoy your Saturday!
Top stories of the week
A look back at this week’s most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.
① Beltline gives recommendations for $3.5 billion light rail plan
② Peachtree Circle historic district effort fails in Ansley Park (pictured)
③ Anonymous $150k donation secures reopening of Tucker’s American Legion Post 207
④ Dunwoody community rallies around 14-year-old freshman with rare brain cancer
⑤ Two in custody, 3rd suspect wanted after shots fired at Piedmont Park
🥂 See Amy Sherald: American Sublime after hours! VIP Nights bring a more intimate experience and a cash bar every Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. Take in the exhibition and bring home an exclusive poster featuring Sherald’s portrait of Michelle Obama, included in your purchase. Get your tickets today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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